Behavioural Neuroscience Poster Session
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Lehofer, M. (Clinics of Psychiatry, University of Graz, Austria)
Moser, M. (Physiological Institute, University of Graz, Austria)
Legl, T. (Drug Rehabilitation Center Gruener Kreis, Aspang, Austria)
Pernhaupt, G. (Drug Rehabilitation Center Gruener Kreis, Aspang, Austria)
Schauenstein, K. (Institute of General & Experimental Pathology, University of Graz, Austria)
Abstract
Objective: Data from animal experiments reveal some effects of nicotine to be mediated through endogenous opioids, suggesting a common neurophysiological pathway of nicotine- and heroin dependence. If this was true in humans an association between smoking and heroin dependence may be of clinical relevance. Method: We retrospectively investigated the smoking behaviour in relation to heroin dependence, heroin detoxification, and rehabilitation in 70 former heroin addicts, and compared it with data from two national statistical surveys on smoking behaviour. Results: More than 90% of the ex-heroin-addicts investigated were smokers already prior to opiate dependence. Heroin intake increased the smoking frequency, detoxification reversed this effect and during rehabilitation the pre-dependence frequency was re-established. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a reversible potentiating effect of heroin on nicotine consumption in humans.
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Poster Number PAliebmann0668
Keywords: smoking, heroin, drug dependence
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